Deck: Evol

Introduction

Evol is a series first released in the Photon Shockwave set on November 15 2011. It features three sub-Archetypes: "Evoltile", "Evolsaur" and "Evolzar". All of the monsters of the series are FIRE Attribute. As the name suggests, they revolve around evolution, which is reflected in their naming and effects. Evoltiles are based on reptiles and are, obviously, Reptile-Type. Evolsaurs as based on dinosaurs and are, again, clearly Dinosaur-Type. the Evolzar Xyz monsters are draconic in appearance and in fact are Dragon-Type.

The series is very similar to the Gladiator Beast archetype, in that it is a toolbox deck and several monsters (the Evolsaurs) gain effects when they are Summoned by the effects of others (the Evoltiles). This is, again, an example of the recurring theme of evolution. The Evolzars are material specific and require Dinosaur-Type monsters as Xyz Materials. The series is supported by the Evoltiles, the Evolsaurs, the "Evo-" cards, "Primordial Soup" and "Evolutionary Bridge", although only the former three often see play.

The Evoltiles generally have effects which can Special Summon Evolsaurs to the field, as mentioned above. There are 8 Evoltiles in total, although there are only 3 which are ever seen in competitive play: These are "Evoltile Najasho", "Evoltile Westlo" and "Evoltile Odonto". The former two have extremely high DEF for low-level monsters, at 1900 and 2000, respectively. This means that they are great if you get them on the first turn, since your opponent usually won't be able to get anything out to beat them on their first turn. This allows you to use them as tribute fodder during your next turn. If your opponent does manage to get out a monster strong enough, you can turn their effects to your advantage by tributing them with a card effect, such as "Evo-Branch", or simply by using "Offering to the Snake Deity" to wreck your opponent's work. These monsters are vital to bringing out an early Evolzar.

The Evolsaurs, as touched on earlier, gain effects when they are Summoned by the effect of an Evoltile. 7 exist, although only 3 are ever used competitively. Those three are "Evolsaur Cerato", "Evolsaur Diplo" and "Evolsaur Vulcano". Cerato is a great searcher and beatstick, since it can place itself at 2100 ATK, surpassing even "Flamvell Firedog", and can add an Evoltile from your deck to your hand every time it destroys an opponent's monster by battle; in this respect it could be considered a watered-down version of the aforementioned monster. Diplo is basically a "Gladiator Beast Bestiari", in that it destroys a Spell/Trap card, although its effect isn't mandatory and applies only to your opponent, and so is a lot safer. Vulcano is possibly the best, though. It can barely hold its own in battle, and has no destruction effects like the other two, but instead covers for this by being able to special summon an Evolsaur from the Graveyard, instead. This could be used to bring back a much wanted beatstick or a high-level monster, but also allows for an on-the-spot Xyz Summon of an Evolzar.

The Evolzars, though, are the top dogs, or dragons, of the archetype. They have extremely powerful control effects which are easily accessible. There are only 3 Evolzars: these are "Evolzar Laggia", which can negate Spells/Traps/(Normal/Special)Summons, "Evolzar Dolkka", which can negate monster effects, and "Evolzar Solda", which can destroy an opponent's Special Summoned monster and prevent itself from being destroyed by card effects. Evol decks should either focus on using the effects of Main Deck Evols to control the gameplay or rapid Xyz Summoning, with most competitive decks focussing on the latter of the two. Few Evol decks use monsters above Level 4, so that they have enough monsters to be used as Xyz material for the Evolzars and other Rank 4 Xyz monsters.

The Evols are very versatile and are capable of coping with a lot of situations, even against the anti-Meta deck Evilswarm. For this reason, then can be quite competitive, and currently place around tier 3. There are many variations of an Evol deck, although the most common and succesful is the Evol Stun build (COMING SOON). They are capable of pulling off anything from rapid Xyz Summons and Spell/Trap control to aggressive attacks and monster removal. The Evols even have their own version of "Forbidden Lance" in the form of "Evo-Miracle"!

But in reality, this card rarely features in an Evol deck because any monster Summoned by the Evoltiles is quickly used as an Xyz Material for Laggia or Dolkka. Most competitive Evol decks are based on using aggro and control elements to both disrupt the opponent's strategy and hit them hard with powerful attacks.